摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible impeller capable of shifting from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration during operation, as a conventional impeller is manufactured as an impeller having a specific blade shape and has the same configuration during assembly and use, involving a case where transport is performed through a restricted space or a space during operation is expanded. <P>SOLUTION: The impeller includes a hub 80, and at least one blade 82, 84 supported by the hub, and has a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub, and a stored configuration in which the impeller is radially compressed, by folding the blade towards the hub. The impeller may comprise a plurality of blades, arranged in blade rows, to facilitate radial compression of the blades. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT |